Teaching and learning materials

The activity in question is the first of the two releases aimed at the familiarization of the Spanish Foreign Language (ELE) students with the time and schedule particularities of the Spanish culture. Its objective is to conceive the time administration in the Spanish culture and to compare it with those of both other European and non-European cultures. In fact, the activity works for debunking of the prejudices and stereotypes about the correlation between the Spaniards and the time, and for discovering (by the students properly) of the true relations Spaniards possess upon the chronological order.
The introduction of the activity supposes the teacher to find out, by means of a brief oral inquiry, what stereotypes or ideas the students share about the Spanish time organization in view of some topic issues. The implementation of the very activity surmises students´ reflective working, both in couples and groups, on the aspect of schedules, time administration, time perception and valuation of the time in general in different cultures, always with a stress on the Spanish peculiarities. As a point of rest, the comparison of the Oriental (predominantly rural) and of the Occidental culture (of which Spanish culture is part) is proposed.
The preparation of this activity is facilitated as the author offers the already ready texts, transparencies and songs to work with. Skills as reading comprehension, listening comprehension and oral interaction are to be improved, as the activity´s organization previews the constant participating involvement of the target group.
It is advised to use this activity with the grown-up students, young men or adults, who desirably have B2 and beyond levels (C1 and C2 levels may also be offered this activity).

Approach: Intercultural

Type of material: Iconic documents; sound

Source:
Activity cerated by Dolores Soler-Espiauba Conesa, available on line:
http://cvc.cervantes.es/aula/didactired/anteriores/mayo_08/05052008a.htm